January 18, 2005

Arkansas Tech defensive end Cedric Cursh earned his third All-America football honor and offensive lineman Jonathan Hayes his first after being named to Don Hansen's Football Gazette NCAA Division II All-America Team for 2004.

The naming of Cursh and Hayes brings Tech's All-American number to 25 in the 90-year history of Wonder Boys' football.

Cursh, a 6-foot-3, 215-pound sophomore from Foreman, was previously named to the Associated Press Little All-America second team and the Daktronics NCAA Division II All-America second team. He was also named to the Gazette's second team.

Hayes, a 6-foot-4, 300-pound senior from Sheridan, was named to the Gazette's third All-America team.

Cursh had previously been named Gulf South Conference defensive player of the year, All-GSC first team and All-NCAA Division II South Region in recognition of his play during the 2004 season.

Cursh recorded 95 total tackles, 21 tackles for a loss, nine quarterback sacks, five forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and one interception while helping Tech post its best football season in 33 years.

Hayes, who co-captained this year's NCAA Division II Cactus Bowl of college all-stars, is a two-time all-conference selection. He started 18 consecutive games for the Wonder Boys at offensive guard.

During this year's national playoff run, Hayes graded 78 percent of higher in every game and gave up only one sack in 12 games.

He was named as one of the Gulf South Conference "Elite Eight" student-athletes in 2003-04.

Tech's All-America tradition started in 1937 when quarterback Raymond Burnett of Atkins became the Wonder Boys' first All-American. Tech's Firman Bynum (1939), Don Dempsey (1954), Eddie Meador (1958), Roger Lee (1960), Powell McClellan (1960, 1961), Danny Gilbert (1964, 1965), Joe Hoeing (1970), Rick Thone (1971), Perry Goodell (1971, 1972), Kelly Davis (1978), Bruce Livingston (1985, 1986), Kevin Johnson (1986), Chad Walker (1987), Noel Tugwell (1989), Demond Sampson (1994) and Piotr Styczen (1995, 1996) followed suit by earning All-America honors of their own.

Since Steve Mullins became the Wonder Boys' head coach in 1997, Tech has added eight All-Americans to its honor roll. Todd Mathews (1999), Ed Duncan (1999), Stuart Cash (1999), Paul Peletz (2000), Patrick Pesnell (2000), Edwards (2002, 2003) and now Cursh (2004) and Hayes (2004) have earned All-America honors under Mullins' guidance.

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